On-the-job training for teachers

GOVERNMENT will spend N$15 million for the reintroduction of a diploma programme for under and unqualified teachers at junior primary level with the first intake earmarked for May.

There are currently 24 660 primary school teachers nationally, of which 20 452 are qualified.

At least 1 000 out of 4 208 unqualified and under-qualified teachers from all 14 regions will undergo the three-year in-service programme under the faculty of education at the University of Namibia.

The two Kavango regions have the highest number of unqualified teachers with 697, unqualified and underqualified teachers, followed by Omusati with 687 then comes Ohangwena with 549.

Government said it was taking the measure to curb the problem of unqualified and underqualified teachers in the country, especially for Grades 1, 2 and 3.

During the launch of the in-service Teacher Education Diploma in Windhoek on Friday, education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa said they will be taking in 1 000 candidates each year across the regions.

“A final sixth intake at one central delivery centre will also be considered in order to cater for those who may not have been accommodated in the main intakes, and those who may be repeating certain modules. This final intake is envisaged to be much smaller and can be accommodated at one delivery centre,” she said.

During the financial year 2015/2016, government spent N$5 million for Unam to develop the programme.

“It is expected that Unam submits a report on the development and implementation of the programme on a quarterly basis to the permanent secretary through the National Institute for Education Development,” said Hanse-Himarwa.

She said the shortage of qualified teachers, especially at the foundation level of the education system, is seen as one of the factors preventing pupils from achieving the expected levels of numeracy and literacy in the early years.

Hanse-Himarwa said those who qualify for the programme should be 55 years old, have teaching experience of at least one year and be currently teaching in the junior primary phase.

Unam’s pro-vice chancellor for academic affairs Osmund Mwandemele said the university has developed the National Qualification Framework level 6 in-service diploma programme for unqualified and underqualified teachers to improve their qualifications.

“In order to expedite the process, Unam has put in place a timeline, starting with applications being sent out to the regional education offices during the week of 29 February. We hope to receive the forms back from the regions around 24 March,” he said.

Mwandemele said the admission process is expected to be completed by 15 April 2016.

“Candidates will then be directed to the regional campuses to register on 9 May 2016 at the start of the vacation school,” he said.

“This programme will follow a blended approach or a mixed mode of approach that combines occasional face-to-face sessions, distance learning, self-study and online learning. A student support system comprising campus and site-based tutors, study group, and a virtual discussion forum will be put in place to ensure that participating teachers are supported throughout their studies,” he said.

Minister of higher education Itah Kandjii-Murangi said although access to primary education in Namibia is improving, the quality of education delivery remains a challenge.

Kandjii-Murangi said the recent faculty of education research in 28 schools in Namibia revealed a number of issues impacting upon the low quality of education, namely low content knowledge by teachers, difficulties with implementing the lower primary literacy and numeracy curriculum, poor knowledge of various teaching and assessment strategies and lack of instructional materials, among others.

“The report further indicates that the existing cohort of teachers in the primary phases is often unqualified or underqualified. It [report] recommended a significant investment in teacher training. The in-service training we are unveiling today is a timely initiative aimed at addressing this recommendation,” she said.

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